Djokovic, Nadal, Federer Lead Australian Open Seeds

Let the anticipation hit high gear. The seeds for the 2019 Australian Open, which starts Monday, have been announced, and the top is littered with names that have dominated the season's first Grand Slam for the past decade plus.

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic, No. 1 in the ATP Rankings, is the top seed in Melbourne. The Serbian, who fell in the semi-finals of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open last week (l. to Bautista Agut), will be going for a record-breaking seventh Australian Open crown. Djokovic is currently tied with Roger Federer for the Open Era mark.

The Spaniard has not played a tour-level match since 7 September, more than four months ago, when he had to retire from his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro. But the 17-time Grand Slam champion has captured one Australian Open title (2009) and reached three other finals (2012, 2014, 2017).

He has a chance at No. 1 during the Aussie fortnight. Nadal will regain the top spot in the ATP Rankings on 28 January if he wins the title and Djokovic does not reach the fourth round.

Federer, the third seed, also will be vying for a three-peat and a record-breaking seventh Australian Open crown. The 37-year-old has not won back-to-back-to-back titles at the same Grand Slam since the 2006-08 US Open.

Federer could match Djokovic's Open Era record by winning his third consecutive Australian Open crown. Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have combined for 13 of the past 15 Australian Open titles and eight consecutive Grand Slam championships. The draw for the 2019 Australian Open will take place from 6 p.m. Thursday, local time.